Healthy Eating

Learning about a balanced, healthy diet is important in the early years of life to maintain good physical and mental health as we grow up. Eating a balanced diet can help us;

• Maintain a healthy weight – reducing the chances of suffering from long-term health conditions
• Grow healthy – including supporting bone development and strength
• Maintain good mental health
• Learn more about different food cultures around the world and to try new foods

As early years practitioners it is vital to teach children healthy eating habits from a young age, increasing the chances of a healthier lifestyle in adulthood. There are many ways in which we can teach children all about healthy eating, check out our children's healthy eating activities for some ideas.

Undertake our Healthy eating eLearning to gain a better understanding of the nutritional needs of children, how to provide a balanced diet and how to overcome challenges.

The eLearning can be found under our training page.

Trying to eat healthy and maintain regular exercise as a family isn't always easy. Therefore support is available for the whole family to help develop a healthy lifestyle.

Across Leicestershire and Rutland there is an 8-week programme available for eligible families, where a variety of topics will be covered, including cooking healthy meals and engaging in exercise, helping create healthy habits that will continue into adulthood.

A 12-week programme for adults is also available.

Want to find out more or check if your eligible then check out their website; Weight management Leicestershire and Rutland.

If you live in Leicester or just interested in some tips on healthy eating, visit the Live Well Leicester website.

• The British Nutrition Foundation: useful information for different life stages including information for babies - find information on breastfeeding and introducing solid foods.
• The British Nutrition Foundation: useful information available for toddlers/pre-school aged children including information on ensuring eating well and how children can learn about food and the importance of a healthy, varied diet.
• Better Health - Health for Families: A range of healthy eating recipes and physical activity resources created by the NHS for children.
• The Caroline Walker Trust: A charity which aims to improve public health through good food. The charity have published an Eating well practical guide for children aged 1-4, and eating well during first year of life. The resources aim to help young children eat well and outlines important key foods developed for nurseries, child minders and preschools as well as parents.
• HENRY: Offers help planning and cooking healthy family meals with simple recipes, making it much easier to prepare quick and balanced meals.
• TastEd: works with EY settings and primary schools, training practitioners in delivering sensory food education. Sensory food education is a fantastic way of helping children build a positive relationship with food and eating.
• Food for life: visit the website to access more information about the Food for Life Early Years Award and additional resources.

The prevalence of food allergies amongst the population is unfortunately increasing and this is an extra responsibility for settings who cater for young children with a diagnosed food allergy. There are 14 legally recognised allergens in the UK which must be highlighted on a food label, this includes milk, cereals containing gluten, sesame and nuts.